sbk92
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- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
The Good
1. Dez Bryant, WR: I know, I know. He was a 1st Round pick so everyone expected him to be good. But, this good? Especially after basically sitting out all of 2009 at Oklahoma State with his suspension? Especially after missing all of the preseason with his injury? No way. I had no idea he was going to be that good and that electric. There is no question that heading into 2011, the single-most unstoppable force on the Dallas Cowboys' offense is Dez. That really says something about this rookie. He has franchise WR written all over him.
2. Doug Free, LT: Admittedly, he has conceded 4.5 sacks and committed a team-high 10 penalties. But, he is playing left tackle in the National Football League where he has faced the likes of Mario Williams, Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, Osi Umenyiora, Trent Cole, Brian Orakpo, and the very best edge rushers in the league. He has had an encouraging year. At no point this season did he look like he needed serious help or replacement. At no point did the battle look too big for him. He may not be the best Left Tackle in the league, but he has had a great year to build upon.
3. Jason Garrett, Interim Head Coach: I have certainly written plenty on the topic already so I won't belabor the point, but I am not sure very many people expected the Cowboys' interim coach to instantly have control of the Cowboys' sideline and troops like he has. It seemed with the flick of a switch that he has instantly had command of the entire team in a way that Wade Phillips seemed to never desire. I really am not sure he is the right man for the job, but I don't feel there is any more he could do to show he is a capable choice if he is chosen.
4. Bryan McCann, CB-KR: Surely, it has been a rough season for the Cowboys if I am pointing out a part-time kick returner and an emergency defensive back has been one of the 5 biggest surprises of the year. But, there is no question that he had a significant impact on the season and you could make the case he won 2 games for the team by himself. Think about it. In a 6-win season, a guy who wasn't on the roster until November and is making the absolute league minimum salary won 2 games (in a row). An unforgettable introduction to the franchise.
5. Jon Kitna, QB: Again, based on expectation levels, we were always going to compare Kitna to Brad Johnson. And unlike 2008 when Romo was injured, 2010 did not see a dramatic drop off in QB play during a 10 game stretch in which he was forced to step in. I have gone to great lengths to point out what he cannot do, but let's not forget what he can do: show off great leadership and the ability to make a key throw at a key moment. He is no Tony Romo, but he is also no Brad Johnson.
The Bad
1. Mike Jenkins, CB: Perhaps he is what he is and we should just stop jumping to conclusions about but what he can be. After the 2008 season, he appeared to be the 2nd best CB from that draft (after Orlando Scandrick). Then, in 2009, he played with such confidence and excellence that it sure looked like his place in Honolulu (or wherever the Pro Bowl ends up) was in cement for years to come. Something happened this season, and Mike Jenkins no longer appears to be anything more than an average CB.
2. Anthony Spencer, LB: Mike Jenkins and Spencer are on the exact same page. To rate one higher than the other is actually unfair. They are both 1st Round picks. They are both young and should be getting better. They are both supposed cornerstones of the unit moving forward. And yet, how many games this year have we not seen an impact of note from Spencer?
3. Marc Colombo, RT: There is no doubt that Marc Colombo has been a solid and steady performer for the Cowboys since finding him on the scrap heap and starting him at Right Tackle since 2006. The RT revolving door was an issue to worry and address for several years prior to that, and they finally found a solution. However, he blew out his knee at Green Bay last year, and it just hasn't been the same since.
4. Terence Newman, CB: At some point, a corner that is known for his speed is going to lose it. The Cowboys drafted Terence out of Kansas State at a rather advanced age, as he turned 25 years old the week before his professional debut. He absolutely has given the Cowboys elite service, but seeing him beaten deep repeatedly this season gives one pause about his future.
5. Andre Gurode, C: Andre has never struck me as an elite Pro Bowler, but the Pro Bowl process is such that he has gone to the last 4 Pro Bowls. I have always thought of him as a solid performer who may be a beneficiary of the Cowboys high profile. Regardless, he has been thought of as one of the very best players on the Cowboys OL, and this season we have seen too many botched snaps, too many moments where the protection calls have been off, too many holding penalties, and too poor a push from the interior of the offensive line.
1. Dez Bryant, WR: I know, I know. He was a 1st Round pick so everyone expected him to be good. But, this good? Especially after basically sitting out all of 2009 at Oklahoma State with his suspension? Especially after missing all of the preseason with his injury? No way. I had no idea he was going to be that good and that electric. There is no question that heading into 2011, the single-most unstoppable force on the Dallas Cowboys' offense is Dez. That really says something about this rookie. He has franchise WR written all over him.
2. Doug Free, LT: Admittedly, he has conceded 4.5 sacks and committed a team-high 10 penalties. But, he is playing left tackle in the National Football League where he has faced the likes of Mario Williams, Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, Osi Umenyiora, Trent Cole, Brian Orakpo, and the very best edge rushers in the league. He has had an encouraging year. At no point this season did he look like he needed serious help or replacement. At no point did the battle look too big for him. He may not be the best Left Tackle in the league, but he has had a great year to build upon.
3. Jason Garrett, Interim Head Coach: I have certainly written plenty on the topic already so I won't belabor the point, but I am not sure very many people expected the Cowboys' interim coach to instantly have control of the Cowboys' sideline and troops like he has. It seemed with the flick of a switch that he has instantly had command of the entire team in a way that Wade Phillips seemed to never desire. I really am not sure he is the right man for the job, but I don't feel there is any more he could do to show he is a capable choice if he is chosen.
4. Bryan McCann, CB-KR: Surely, it has been a rough season for the Cowboys if I am pointing out a part-time kick returner and an emergency defensive back has been one of the 5 biggest surprises of the year. But, there is no question that he had a significant impact on the season and you could make the case he won 2 games for the team by himself. Think about it. In a 6-win season, a guy who wasn't on the roster until November and is making the absolute league minimum salary won 2 games (in a row). An unforgettable introduction to the franchise.
5. Jon Kitna, QB: Again, based on expectation levels, we were always going to compare Kitna to Brad Johnson. And unlike 2008 when Romo was injured, 2010 did not see a dramatic drop off in QB play during a 10 game stretch in which he was forced to step in. I have gone to great lengths to point out what he cannot do, but let's not forget what he can do: show off great leadership and the ability to make a key throw at a key moment. He is no Tony Romo, but he is also no Brad Johnson.
The Bad
1. Mike Jenkins, CB: Perhaps he is what he is and we should just stop jumping to conclusions about but what he can be. After the 2008 season, he appeared to be the 2nd best CB from that draft (after Orlando Scandrick). Then, in 2009, he played with such confidence and excellence that it sure looked like his place in Honolulu (or wherever the Pro Bowl ends up) was in cement for years to come. Something happened this season, and Mike Jenkins no longer appears to be anything more than an average CB.
2. Anthony Spencer, LB: Mike Jenkins and Spencer are on the exact same page. To rate one higher than the other is actually unfair. They are both 1st Round picks. They are both young and should be getting better. They are both supposed cornerstones of the unit moving forward. And yet, how many games this year have we not seen an impact of note from Spencer?
3. Marc Colombo, RT: There is no doubt that Marc Colombo has been a solid and steady performer for the Cowboys since finding him on the scrap heap and starting him at Right Tackle since 2006. The RT revolving door was an issue to worry and address for several years prior to that, and they finally found a solution. However, he blew out his knee at Green Bay last year, and it just hasn't been the same since.
4. Terence Newman, CB: At some point, a corner that is known for his speed is going to lose it. The Cowboys drafted Terence out of Kansas State at a rather advanced age, as he turned 25 years old the week before his professional debut. He absolutely has given the Cowboys elite service, but seeing him beaten deep repeatedly this season gives one pause about his future.
5. Andre Gurode, C: Andre has never struck me as an elite Pro Bowler, but the Pro Bowl process is such that he has gone to the last 4 Pro Bowls. I have always thought of him as a solid performer who may be a beneficiary of the Cowboys high profile. Regardless, he has been thought of as one of the very best players on the Cowboys OL, and this season we have seen too many botched snaps, too many moments where the protection calls have been off, too many holding penalties, and too poor a push from the interior of the offensive line.
